Patna:
Lalu Prasad plans a grand comeback at a "parivartan" rally in Patna today. His party, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), says it is aimed at bringing change in Bihar. His rivals say it's an excuse to install his two sons, Tejpratap and Tarun, in positions of prominence in the RJD.
The man who famously installed his wife as Chief Minister of Bihar when his political career was set back by the massive animal husbandry scam, is not in the least apologetic. "When they are my children do you want to them to hold a lotus (the BJP's symbol) or arrow (the symbol of the ruling Janata Dal- United)? It is natural that they will hold lanterns and canvas for the RJD," he said today. The lantern is the RJD's political symbol.
In fact, the former Bihar CM was happy to demonstrate that it was all in the family for him. When Mr Yadav's first born, daughter Misa Bharti reached the Gandhi Maidan venue being prepped for the rally and told reporters that she too was interested in a political career, the RJD chief fondly commented that both daughters and sons had a right to enter politics.
Mr Yadav who has two sons and seven daughters said, "I have invited all my daughters and sons-in-law, save those who are abroad, so that all of them can see how popular their father still is and the power that he continues to wield."
To ensure that, the RJD has booked 13 trains from different destinations in Bihar and Jharkhand to carry people to Patna for today's rally. The Railways has been paid Rs 1.11 crore for this.
This is the first such rally that Lalu Prasad has organised since 2007.